This is not music criticism. On this blog, you will only read about music we like.

Friday, June 19, 2015

The Yellow Melodies - Students of Life: A Tribute to BMX Bandits

This delightful little release combines my love of discovering current indie pop talents with my passion for Scottish indie rock. In the spirit of true international cooperation, we have Murcia, Spain's The Yellow Melodies with a tribute record for Glasgow's Duglas T. Stewart and his BMX Bandits, released by the excellent Canadian label The Beautiful Music, as brought to you by a blogger in Seattle, Washington.

Duglas Stewart was a central figure in the so-called C-86 movement of the mid-'80s, and the scene that produced Scottish bands Teenage Fanclub, Superstar and The Soup Dragons, among others. His BMX Bandits were purveyors of energetic indie pop with a sense of humor. While never reaching beyond cult status, their rich catalog contains many fine songs. Students of Life: A Tribute To BMX Bandits give a tasty twist to six of them. While the songs are great, and I count myself a big fan of BMX Bandits, the stars here are The Yellow Melodies, who put a vibrant sheen on each track, with appealing hooks and great harmonies. I encourage you to use the "replay" button, because this record with burrow further into your brain with each play, and you won't complain in the least.

The Yellow Melodies are Rafa Skam, Pilar Aparisi, Mar, and Jose Angel. The CD of Students of Life: A Tribute To BMX Bandits is available from The Beautiful Music. Vinyl can be found at the Spanish Distributor Sweet Grooves Records. Digital Downloads at the Bandcamp link below. You can stream the entire EP at the Soundcloud link.